TikTok Shuts Down In The US On January 19

TikTok is set to become inaccessible in the United States starting January 19 following a federal ban. ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, has reportedly confirmed that the app will be removed from Apple and Android app stores. Existing users will also lose access to content, and the app will redirect users to an information page detailing the ban.

The ban stems from concerns over national security, with ByteDance facing pressure since April 2024 to sell its stake in TikTok. With no sale occurring, the shutdown will proceed unless there is a last-minute intervention. TikTok has been under scrutiny for years, and individual states like Montana and Texas had previously attempted their own bans, which were ultimately blocked in court.

Some TikTok users have explored using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to bypass the ban, but legal experts warn this could result in hefty fines. Meanwhile, many creators are migrating to alternative platforms like Rednote and Lemon8. Though these platforms are gaining traction, concerns remain about potential future restrictions on them as well.